Three persons who were hiding inside a truck carrying bitumen died when the truck overturned in Meghalaya’s Jaiñtia Hills.

According to the East Jaiñtia Hills police, the accident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Lumshnong village.

During an inquiry, it was found that truck was coming from Beltola, Guwahati and was headed for Mizoram.

Initially, the police said there were only two occupants in the truck, the driver and a helper, when it entered Meghalaya. However, after reaching East Jaiñtia Hills, four persons illegally boarded the truck somewhere between Deinchynrum and Byndihati villages.

The four persons were hiding between the loaded bitumen drums on the back to avoid detection.

While two of them died on the spot, one succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after he was rescued by Lumshnong police.

The police said the fourth person could be rescued alive after a long rescue operation which was extremely tough because of heavy rain and thunderstorm.

The person was shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

A case has been registered while the driver and helper have been arrested.